C-SPAN image REP. ANN MARIE BUERKLEdiscusses the Republican approach to the 2012 budget in April on C-SPAN. Last week, she was among 66 Republi´cans to vote against raising the debt ceiling. The measure passed the House, 269-161.

Crisis mode wrong way to decide on debt ceiling

By Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle
25th Congressional District

Recently, I said that leadership requires compromise, and it does. However, leadership is not just compromise. Leadership involves other qualities including responsibility and accountability.

I supported the first two House proposals to raise the debt ceiling, “Cut, Cap and Balance” and the “Balance Control Act,” because they were thoughtful solutions that would force the federal government to live within its means. They were compromises. The Senate failed to pass those bills, and instead President Obama signed into law a bill that reflected the chaos from which it was born.

For the past several weeks, Congress and the administration have been locked in debate over raising the nation’s debt ceiling. The process used to address this problem was distorted, and as a result, Washington once again found itself operating in crisis mode.

It is hardly ever good to make important, life-changing decisions in the heat of the moment. Unfortunately, too many politicians respond to the crisis of the moment without fully considering the cost.

Much like the Affordable Care Act, the final version of the Balance Control Law is layered with details that are not yet fully known. Now is not the time to take a chance on the judgment of leaders who permitted our government’s spending to surge unchecked by the realities of basic economics. We cannot spend more than we take in.

I voted “no” on the Balance Control Law for many reasons: the effects on businesses, hospitals, our military members and veterans.

First, the law provides for a guaranteed increase in the debt limit that continues until 2013. More than 90 percent of the cuts come after the 2012 elections. Over the next 10 years, $5 to $7 trillion will be added to our nation’s debt.

The bill adds a new process that would automatically cut funding for national security to dangerously low levels. Gen. Martin Dempsey, incoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supports that concern. “Based on the difficulty of achieving the $400 billion cut, I believe $800 (billion) would be extraordinarily difficult and very high risk,” he said during testimony in the Senate last week.

Additionally, it allows for automatic cuts to Medicare providers. The doctors and hospitals in my district are already facing unsustainable cuts in Medicare reimbursements because of the president’s health care bill. Further cuts will be devastating.

Finally, veterans in my district will be placed at risk of having their benefits and services reduced. We have more than 40,000 veterans in New York’s 25th District. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and cannot renege on our obligations to them.

We have known for months the debt ceiling needed to be raised. Congress had ample time to come together, negotiate and avert a crisis. Yet the process failed as a consequence of the Senate’s unwillingness to lead or respond to measures taken by the House. For more than 820 days, the Senate has failed to fulfill its legal obligations to put forth a sensible budget in deference to the people it serves.

The frustration of the American people is palpable. I hear from my constituents that they want the partisan bickering to stop and for Congress and the administration to act responsibly. They want officials to demonstrate true leadership that will address our nation’s problems without creating more problems.

I was not elected to Congress to rubber-stamp bad bills. I was sent to be a voice for reform and an advocate for the people of the 25th District. As I represent you, I will continue to work for solutions that are serious, focused and reflect the understanding that actions have consequences. And leaders have responsibilities.